Improvement in railroad-switches



J'. M. TOUCEY.

, RAILROAD SWITCHES.

Patented. Nov. 7. 1876.4

f men? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VJOHN M. ToUcEY, oF-NEwYoRK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD-SWITCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 184,119, dated November 7, 1876; application led October 10,1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN M. TOUCEY, ot' Ne'w York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved RailroadSwitch Lock, of which the following is a specification:

Figure l is a plan view of a railway-switch provided with my improved switch-lock. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section ot the same on the ljne c c, Fig. l; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section on the line la k, Fig. 1.

Similar letters ot' reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

This invention has for its object to prevent the movement ot' a railroad-switch while a train, or part of a train, is standing 011 or moving over the same; and' consists, principally, in supplying the usual switch-locking mech` anisin with one or more sliding plates, that extend beneath one of the switch-rails, and

constitute the support of said rail, so that they will be locked and prevented from moving by l the weight ot' the train or car that stands upon or moves over said rail. The said plates, being thus locked, prevent the switch-lock from being operated. ln other words, my invention consists in utilizing the spring ordetlection of a switch'rail, for the purpose of thereby locking a plate -or plates, which otherwise, when the rail is not weighted, will be freely movable beneath the same, and which is or are connected with the switch-locking mechanism.

In the drawing, the letter A represents a portion ofthe main track ot a railroad; B, the movable switch, and C the branch track, with which such switch may connect the main track. The switch is, by a suitable rod, a, or otherwise, connected with the sWitch-movinglever I). E is the switch-locking lever, which, by a crank and rod, or otherwise, connects with suitable mechanism for locking the switchY in either ot' its two positions, such mechanism being described in several patents heretofore issued, (such as Patent No. 160.364,) and not part ot' my present invention. It is therefore not shown in the drawing. The switch-locking lever E connects also by said rod b, and other intermediate levers or mechanism d, with one or more sliding plates, F G H, allot' which extend transversely under one of the rails f of the switch, as clearly shown in the drawing. One of these plates `may connect directly with the switch-lock. The surfaces of these plates F G H are higher than the intermediate sleepers h of the track, so that the rail f of the switch Will'virtually rest uponv locking the switch while the train is passing over or standing on said switch.

In their construction the plates F G H may be varied'. They may be provided with tapering ends, as indicated in Fig. 2, so as to wedge under the switch-rail and increase the eli'ect ot' the weighted rail, or they may be provided with projecting lugs or ribs g, which, when under the rail, will still more po werfally cause the same to lock said plates in position, and in place ot' three such plates, one, two, or a larger' number may be used; but I prefer to use at least three, as that number enables me to properly utilize my invention along the entire length ot' the switch-rail. After the weight ot' a train or car has been removed from the switch the rail will no further obstruct the motion and the use of the lever E, and by said lever the switch can then be unlocked, and thereupon moved by the lever D in a suitable manner.

I claim as my inventionl. In combination with a switch-rail, and with the switch-locking lever E and. locking mechanism, the sliding plate F, pla-ced under the switch-rail, to be locked by a weight on saidA rail, but which plate F is free to move beneath the rail when the same is not weighted, substantially as specified.

2. In combination with a switch-rail, the plates F Gr H, united for simultaneous action With the switch-locking lever E, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.

J. M. TOUCEY.

.Witnessesz J. H. PHYFE,

C. E. BACON. 

